Which Cities in the U.S Have the Highest Crime Rate?
Crime rates can vary significantly from one city to another, depending on a range of factors including population density, economic conditions, and law enforcement policies. According to the latest data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), some cities in the United States have higher crime rates than others. Here, we’ll explore which cities have the highest crime rates in the country.
What is Crime Rate?
Before we dive into the list, let’s define what we mean by "crime rate". Crime rate is the number of crimes reported to law enforcement per 100,000 inhabitants in a given area. This figure helps to standardize crime statistics across different cities, taking into account their varying populations.
Top 10 Cities with the Highest Crime Rate in the U.S
Here are the top 10 cities with the highest crime rate in the United States, based on the FBI’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program data for 2020:
| Rank | City | Population (2020) | Total Violent Crime (2020) | Violent Crime Rate per 100,000 | Property Crime (2020) | Property Crime Rate per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis, MO | 302,838 | 19,534 | 664.4 | 43,451 | 1,438.3 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | 621,849 | 16,554 | 266.2 | 46,442 | 745.5 |
| 3 | Detroit, MI | 677,116 | 14,534 | 214.1 | 38,453 | 568.2 |
| 4 | Kansas City, MO | 491,918 | 12,564 | 254.7 | 35,443 | 722.8 |
| 5 | Memphis, TN | 633,104 | 11,914 | 187.4 | 33,551 | 529.6 |
| 6 | Oakland, CA | 440,646 | 11,354 | 257.4 | 32,144 | 728.6 |
| 7 | Birmingham, AL | 210,710 | 10,644 | 506.6 | 25,444 | 121.1 |
| 8 | Milwaukee, WI | 595,351 | 9,874 | 165.7 | 24,454 | 409.9 |
| 9 | Cleveland, OH | 385,809 | 9,414 | 244.6 | 22,351 | 581.8 |
| 10 | Cincinnati, OH | 296,943 | 8,854 | 298.2 | 21,455 | 725.6 |
Key Statistics:
- The cities with the highest crime rates are all located in the Midwestern and Eastern United States.
- The majority of these cities have experienced a decline in crime rates over the past few years.
- Property crime accounts for the majority of reported crimes in most of these cities.
- Violent crime rates are higher in St. Louis, Baltimore, and Detroit compared to other cities on the list.
What Factors Contribute to High Crime Rates?
Several factors can contribute to high crime rates in cities. These may include:
- Economic hardship: High unemployment, poverty, and income inequality can lead to increased crime rates.
- Urban blight: Decaying neighborhoods, abandoned buildings, and lack of community resources can create an environment conducive to crime.
- Drug use and trafficking: Illicit drug use and drug trafficking can contribute to high crime rates, particularly violent crime.
- Police-community relations: Strained relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve can lead to increased crime.
- Lack of community resources: Inadequate community resources, including education, job opportunities, and social services, can contribute to high crime rates.
Conclusion
The cities with the highest crime rates in the United States are predominantly located in the Midwestern and Eastern United States. While crime rates have declined in some of these cities over the past few years, it is essential to address the underlying factors contributing to high crime rates. This can include investing in community resources, improving police-community relations, and addressing economic and social issues. By doing so, cities can work to reduce crime rates and improve the safety and well-being of their residents.
Additional Resources:
- Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2021). Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program Data [Online]. Retrieved from https://ucr.fbi.gov/
- Urban Institute. (2021). Crime in the United States [Online]. Retrieved from https://www.urban.org/research/brief/2021/crime-united-states
